Tool 14 — Money & Budget

Carpet / Kilim Price Reality Check

Catch scam-pattern asking prices before they catch you.

What this solves

Hand-knotted Turkish carpets and kilims are world-class. They're also one of the highest-scam-risk purchases for tourists, because: (a) most buyers can't tell a Hereke silk from a Chinese replica, (b) asking prices are 3–10× realistic, and (c) the "100-year-old Anatolian village piece" story is told about almost every piece. This tool gives you a realistic price band before you bargain.

Check the price

Type

Origin claimed

Size (m²)

Claimed age

Vendor's asking price (₺)

Bazaar

Realistic fair price

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What you'd pay a fair dealer

Bargain target

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Walk-away ceiling

Risk verdict

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Limitations

Authenticity cannot be assessed from price alone — knots per cm, dye, and wool quality matter.
Real antiques (100+ years) follow an entirely different curve; they need an expert.
Use this together with the Rug Authenticity tool.

FAQ

What's the difference between silk and wool?

Silk (especially Hereke) is finer — 100+ knots per cm. Wool is 20–60. Real silk feels cold; wool feels warm.

How do I know if it's handmade?

Look at the back: hand-knotted has uneven knots and tiny imperfections. Machine-made is uniform. Bend it — real wool is stiff.

Will the merchant ship it?

Yes — most Grand Bazaar shops ship internationally. Verify insurance, tracking, and customs duty at destination before paying.